The Haunted Mansion: A Spooky and Heartwarming Family Affair
The allure of haunted old houses, teeming with spectral residents, has been a recurring theme in global culture since the emergence of 18th-century gothic horror novels. Disneyland, capitalizing on this enduring fascination, features its own “Haunted Mansion,” meticulously designed with Victorian-era aesthetics. Visitors are greeted by eerie portraits with disturbingly lifelike eyes, animatronic ghosts materializing from the shadows, a medium trapped within a crystal ball, and, the pièce de résistance, the mansion’s sinister owner – a shadowy figure in a wide cloak, clutching his own luminous head in a box.
Two decades prior, Walt Disney Pictures attempted to translate the popular attraction into a cinematic experience. The 2003 horror-comedy directed by Rob Minkoff, while recouping its substantial $125 million budget, was largely panned by critics. Reviewers cited a lifeless plot and a dearth of genuine humor, despite Eddie Murphy’s efforts to inject levity. The creators of this new adaptation have seemingly taken these criticisms to heart, overhauling the script and, in a postmodern vein, incorporating numerous allusions to other films.
Danny DeVito as Bruce in “Haunted Mansion”
A New Home, A New Nightmare
Gabbie (Rosario Dawson), a single mother, and her eight-year-old son Travis (Chase W. Dillon) relocate to an antiquated mansion in Louisiana, hoping for a fresh start. However, the house is far from welcoming. Ghosts immediately besiege the new occupants. Desperate, Gabbie enlists the help of Ben Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield), a former physicist turned tour guide, Father Kent (Owen Wilson), a priest, Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), a medium, and Bruce Davis (Danny DeVito), a university professor and author specializing in Victorian mansions. This eclectic team attempts to exorcise the spirits, particularly the main antagonist, a menacing old man in a top hat with a glowing head in a box (Jared Leto).
Echoes of Horror Past
The top-hatted ghost, searching for his head to escape the mansion and unleash terror upon the city, evokes imagery of both the Headless Horseman and Beetlejuice. While awaiting the sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic film, viewers can enjoy a cameo by Winona Ryder as a gothic-clad tour guide, whose connection to the ghosts haunting Gabbie and Travis’s home is revealed later in the film. Justin Simien’s film boasts a stellar cast, including LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, and scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis.
Jared Leto, an Academy Award winner, delivers a grotesque performance as the main villain. According to the film’s narrative, his character was a mass murderer in life, akin to Elizabeth Bathory or Darya Saltykova, preying on both servants and members of high society. Crump concealed the bodies in the basement beneath the fireplace, a possible nod to the crimes of Hugh Crain from Jan de Bont’s “The Haunting.”
Rosario Dawson as Gabbie in “Haunted Mansion”
A Haunted House of References
In terms of references to other films, Justin Simien’s film, from the director of “Bad Hair”, rivals last year’s family horror film “The Curse of Bridge Hollow.” However, while Jeff Wadlow’s film centers on the happy family of biology teacher Howard Gordon, who encounters paranormal phenomena in a small town on Halloween night, the protagonists of “Haunted Mansion” are burdened by personal struggles.
Gabbie is a single mother raising Travis alone. Travis, in turn, misses his father and struggles to make friends at school. Ben Matthias, a former physicist, lost his wife in a car accident and continues to grieve. Their emotional vulnerability (unsurprisingly, Travis and Ben quickly bond) attracts the top-hatted ghost, who needs another soul to escape the mansion that imprisons him.
Owen Wilson as Kent in “Haunted Mansion”
More Than Just Scares
The psychological complexities of the main characters will likely appeal to adult audiences who might tire of endless jump scares. As a family horror film, it’s safe to assume that all the numerous characters will survive unscathed. Bloody murders are inappropriate for children, so the ghostly monsters are limited to startling appearances in the dimly lit rooms of the old house.
Within the confines of the family horror genre, Justin Simien has managed to create an engaging example. On one hand, viewers are entertained by numerous references to other films in a “guess where this scene is from” style. On the other hand, they are drawn into empathizing with the characters through dramatic conflicts. Travis and Ben struggle to resist the temptation of reuniting with their loved ones in the afterlife. The director successfully combines standard horror jump scares with psychological tension.
Rosario Dawson as Gabbie in “Haunted Mansion”
A Lesson in Courage and Teamwork
What family horror film would be complete without a moral message? In “Haunted Mansion,” the director illustrates that only by working together, overcoming numerous disagreements, can the characters win the unequal battle against the top-hatted ghost and his army of spirits. It’s no coincidence that the theme of superheroes runs throughout the film. The eccentric Father Kent speaks of courage, motivating Ben to join the team. Ben Matthias himself tells Gabbie’s son about a superhero from his youth, a certain man with a slipper. Finally, the history professor with a weak heart, on the verge of death (Danny DeVito revels in this comedic role), is also a hero in his own way. Despite his age, he is obsessed with haunted houses and constantly tries to help his new friends, even though his intrusive participation sometimes hinders them.
Justin Simien has succeeded in walking the fine line between horror and comedy, something that Rob Minkoff failed to do in the previous version of “Haunted Mansion.” His film is both funny and scary (although the jump scares will only frighten children), and it uses relatable examples of superheroes to promote old truths about courage and mutual aid. According to Simien, anyone can become a superhero by conquering their fear and finding the strength to fight against overwhelming circumstances. It’s hard to disagree with the director’s moral conclusion.